Alternatives to Globalization Workshop

							Alternatives to Globalization Workshop
August 4 to 13, 2004 at radical research and learning center San Miguel de Allende, Mexico In service to the Global Justice and Anti-War movements, we call radical scholars and activists to join us for a week long Workshop on Alternatives to Globalization. This will be the inaugural event launching a radical research and learning center for the Left. In addition to discussing the structure and program of the center itself, this Workshop can focus on such topics as the following: 1. Reclaiming the Commons *common goods & the quality of life *surplus value and human values *solidarity and universal interests *radicalizing welfare liberalism *commons and democracy 2. Global Civil Society *struggle for democracy *social movements *coalitions and alliances *collective action *from private troubles to public issues: politicizing everyday life *toward global citizenship *rights (human, group, and national) *are we responsible for what "our" government does? *"unite the many to defeat the few": who is the enemy? 3. Globalization and the New Imperialism *Empire or imperialism? *hegemony or domination? *international institutions or military coercion ? 4. Critique of Neo-liberalism *culture of individualism *role of the nation state 5. Empowering Producers *self-management * cooperatives: Mondragon, Emilia-Romagna, Kerala, & others in Mexico City and the Yucatan *forms of property *market socialism *networking

* other self-organizing alternatives: Via Campesina, Movement of Landless Workers (Brazil), Argentina, fair trade & anti-sweat shop movements, local currencies. *theory: Social Forum, Anarchism, Radical Democracy, Marxism 6. Armed Struggle * current guerrila movements * revolutionary prospects This is just a suggested list of topics intended to indicate the range of discussions for the Workshop. We invite papers and panels on these and related topics. Presentations should be submitted in writing (English and/or Spanish) in digital form by June 1, 2004. They will then be circulated by e-mail to all participants so they can be read before the Workshop. There will be no oral presentation of the paper at the Workshop, only a brief oral summary to start the discussion. Everyone will be expected to read and reflect on the papers before the Workshop. We want genuine dialog. Papers can be submitted to: EBowman@igc.org . While the deadline is June 1, we need an indication of what you are thinking of offering by January 1 so we can begin to plan the program. San Miguel de Allende is located in central Mexico, 3 or 4 hours north of Mexico City. The nearest international airport is 1 1/2 hours away in Leon. We are prepared to assist in arranging transfers from the airport to San Miguel. We can also reserve housing for you during your stay. Send inquiries to: cliffdurand@stargate.net . You are welcome to come early and stay later than the Workshop. San Miguel is a lovely colonial city with a thriving arts community. It is a good place for your summer vacation. Although it is in an arid region, the summer is the green season. In August the average high is 78 F (25 C) and the low is 58 F (14 C). We look forward to your participation in this Workshop as well as the on-going work of the radical research and learning center. Remember, a better world is possible. But it will take our dedicated commitment.